Table of Contents

List of illustrations; Preface; Introduction to the second edition; 1. Preliminaries; Part I. Universals and Culture: 2. Emotional reactions to death; 3. Symbolic associations of death; Part II. Death as Transition: 4. The living and the dead: a re-examination of Hertz; 5. Death rituals and life values: rites of passage reconsidered; Part III. The Royal Corpse and the Body Politic: 6. The dead king; 7. The immortal kingship; Part IV. Seeing Ourselves Anew: 8. American deathways; Bibliography; Index.

Promotional Information

This revised edition of a cross-cultural study of rituals surrounding death has become a standard text in anthropology, sociology and religion.

Reviews

"...a model of clarity. It can be read by specialist and non-specialist alike..." Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion

"...a readable and fascinating survey that on occasions borders on the brilliant." Choice